If you’ve been to Shaker Square, you’ve been in the heart of the Buckeye/Shaker neighborhood, a community rich with ethnic and architectural history. You’ve seen a beautiful, walkable neighborhood district, scattered with architecturally inspired homes, condos, apartments, shops, restaurants and galleries. It is, in fact, the largest multifamily district in the city of Cleveland and continues to be a growing community.

Neighborhood Gem

Shaker Square was built over a long period of time, 1929 to 1942, because of the Great Depression and other financial difficulties the Van Sweringen brothers encountered during its development. Today, it serves as the heart of a diverse community—a living, shopping and entertainment destination, yes. But also it’s a place neighbors go to socialize on a daily basis.

Peter Rubin, CEO of Shaker Square’s owner, The Coral Company, calls it a cultural intersection and an intersection of transportation and commercial endeavors. “We are trying to nurture the Square’s intersection personality,” he says. “We think its success comes down to a simple formula: During the day it’s a neighborhood shopping center; when the sun goes down, it’s an entertainment district.”

Following the formula, Shaker Square offers daytime necessities like a grocery store, farmers market, drug store, shops and boutiques, and nighttime destinations with a movie theater, restaurants and bars. And Shaker Square is a totally walkable community—many people live here without a car. “People say it’s the only place in Cleveland that feels like New York,” Rubin says.